Bruce Arnold

Young People Ear Training Course

Young People Ear Training Course

Q: I have two kids 7 and 10 years old and wondering about your Ear Training for Children Course. I understand the singing of the melody and all the different versions where you sing note names, letter names and solfege. What is the reason for singing the bass part in the Ear Training for Children Course? It seems kinda repetitive and easy so I’m wondering what's the idea behind it?

A: The bass part outlines a key center, so if key center retention is a problem, singing it will really anchor you. In other words, singing the bass part heightens your awareness of the bass's function, which in turn raises your awareness of the key center. It's actually not so easy to sing a bass part and hit the notes dead on. Try recording your voice or singing into a guitar tuner and you will most likely see that work needs to be done. Your ear is highly sensitive to pitch so if they bass part is slightly out of tune it can throw your entire recognition of any notes above it. (note: As bass notes get lower and lower especially on a piano they get to sound sharper and sharper. There is nothing wrong with your ears this is just “tempered” tuning.) So don’t neglect the singing of the bass part in the “Ear Training for Children.” If is actually something that will really help you, especially if you are struggling with “One Note Ear Training.”

It is also recommended that you read Bruce Arnold's Blog at his artist site. It contains more discussion of the musical topics found in these FAQs as well as other subjects of interest. You will also find the "Music Education Genealogy Chart" located here which shows you the historic significance of the music education products found on the Muse Eek Publishing Company Website.